Accra Hosts Eighth Bnoskka Annual Lecture Highlighting Intellectual Property’s Role in Sports

The eighth edition of the Bnoskka Annual Lecture on Intellectual Property (IP) took place in Accra on April 22, 2024, marking a key event in Ghana’s observance of World Intellectual Property Day. This global day, celebrated annually on April 26, aims to raise awareness about the impact of copyright, patents, and trademarks on innovators and creators worldwide. The 2024 theme, ‘IP and Sports: Ready, Set …’, framed discussions around the growing relevance of intellectual property in the sports sector.

Mr Carl Ampah, representing the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO), chaired the Accra event. He praised Dr Benjamin Oduro Arhin, the lecture’s founder, for his unwavering commitment to IP education, particularly through consistent weekly media engagements that have significantly raised public understanding of IP issues in Ghana.

Highlighting UNESCO’s ongoing support, Mr Ampah encouraged expanding the lecture series to reach other regions across Ghana. He also stressed the importance of aligning Ghana’s IP systems with international standards, especially in relation to sports and creative expression, to foster innovation and protect rights holders.

A keynote presentation was delivered by Mr Bernard T. Bosumprah, former Administrator of the Copyright Office. He traced the historical development of Ghana’s copyright legislation, beginning with the colonial-era UK Copyright Ordinance, progressing through the 1960 Copyright Act enacted under Dr Kwame Nkrumah, the PNDC Law 110 of 1985, and culminating in the current Copyright Act, 2005 (Act 690). Mr Bosumprah’s insights highlighted the legal evolution that has shaped Ghana’s contemporary IP landscape.

Mr Samuel Awuku, representing the Copyright Office, outlined recent enforcement initiatives, including the establishment of a dedicated police station within the office to better address IP infringements. Despite these advances, he acknowledged ongoing financial constraints faced by the institution and called for increased government funding alongside private sector collaboration to bolster enforcement capacity.

In recognition of his pivotal role in developing the Copyright Act, 2005 (Act 690), Mr Bosumprah was honoured during the event for his enduring contributions to Ghana’s intellectual property regime.

Dr Oduro Arhin addressed common misconceptions about intellectual property, emphasizing that IP rights extend well beyond musicians and authors to encompass sectors such as sports. He highlighted the risks associated with sharing ideas without legal safeguards, particularly in the context of unsolicited idea submissions, which he described as a legal grey area prone to exploitation.

The lecture detailed the five primary categories of intellectual property—patents, copyright, trademarks, industrial designs, and trade secrets—and illustrated their application within the sports industry. Key issues discussed included athlete image rights, broadcasting and media rights, content ownership, merchandising, and emerging digital opportunities within Ghana’s dynamic sports and creative ecosystems.

The event attracted over 60 participants, including legal practitioners, policymakers, creative industry professionals, and students. It was broadcast live on Max TV and Max FM, extending its reach to a broader audience and reinforcing the importance of intellectual property awareness in Ghana’s development agenda.